Ryan Day doesn’t throw around comparisons lightly, so when he likened incoming freshman Legend Bey to Tyreek Hill, it turned heads for good reason.
Speaking on The Ryan Day Show, the Ohio State head coach called Bey “dynamite” and even referred to him as “maybe the poor man’s Tyreek Hill.” That’s not just a compliment-it’s a statement.
Hill is one of the most electric offensive weapons the NFL has seen in the last decade, with eight Pro Bowl nods, nearly 14,000 all-purpose yards, and 96 total touchdowns. So when Day draws a line from Hill to a freshman who hasn’t played a collegiate snap yet, it’s worth taking notice.
“He can go,” Day said of Bey. “When you watch him last year play quarterback in Texas-five-touchdown games, six-touchdown games-just running around, making guys miss. He’s lightning in a bottle.”
That phrase-lightning in a bottle-feels like the perfect way to describe what Bey brings to the table. He’s not just fast; he’s elusive, instinctive, and explosive in space.
While Hill has made his name as a wide receiver, Bey is expected to start his Buckeye career as a running back. But his background as a high school quarterback gives him a unique edge-he’s already used to reading defenses and making decisions on the fly.
Add in the fact that he can line up in the slot, and you start to see why Ohio State is so intrigued by his versatility.
And the timing couldn’t be better for Bey to make an early impression. With Bo Jackson and Isaiah West both sidelined for spring practice due to shoulder injuries, there’s a real opportunity for the freshman to get meaningful reps. Day made it clear that the staff is eager to see how Bey fits into the offense this spring.
“Now, he’s a freshman, but OK, he’s got the ability,” Day said. “That’s the great thing about getting these guys in here at mid-year.
They get to go through it, and by the time it gets to August and September, they’re not freshmen anymore. Now they gotta go, and they came here to play.”
That mid-year arrival is key. It gives Bey a head start-time to learn the playbook, adjust to the speed of the college game, and get comfortable in the Buckeye system. And based on Day’s tone, it sounds like Bey is already turning heads behind the scenes.
His path to Columbus wasn’t exactly straightforward. Bey originally signed with Tennessee on National Signing Day, reportedly due to family pressure.
But a few weeks later, he was granted a release from his scholarship and flipped to Ohio State. The Buckeyes clearly never stopped recruiting him, and now that he’s on campus, Day’s excitement says it all.
Bey was ranked No. 126 overall in the 2026 class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, and while that’s a solid four-star rating, it doesn’t fully capture the upside Ohio State sees in him. The Buckeyes have depth at both running back and slot receiver, with Ja’Kobi Jackson, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, and fellow freshman Favour Akih all competing for carries. At slot, Brandon Inniss returns as the starter, and LSU transfer Kyle Parker is also in the mix.
So yes, the competition will be fierce. But Bey’s skill set-his speed, shiftiness, and positional flexibility-makes him a unique chess piece in Ohio State’s offensive arsenal.
And when your head coach is already drawing lines to Tyreek Hill, that’s not just hype. That’s a sign that the Buckeyes believe they’ve got something special.
Keep an eye on Legend Bey this spring. If he flashes the way Day thinks he can, it won’t be long before he forces his way onto the field.